Former UL Star Shawn Long Off To Fast Start In NBL

A former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun men’s basketball standout is off to a quick start in his new professional home.

Shawn Long, who played for the Cajuns from 2013-2016, is putting up solid numbers for the New Zealand Breakers of the National Basketball League, which also features seven teams from Australia.

Through 7 games, Long is averaging 10.9 points-per-game, which ranks fourth on his squad, to go along with 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, both of which leads his team, while shooting 49%from the field and 65% from the free throw line.

Thanks in part to Long, the Breakers are off to a 4-3 start in the NBL.

A forward/center, Long began last season with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association, where he averaged over 12.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest, before playing in the G League with the Delaware 87ers, averaging 14.6 PPG and 7.7 RPG in 33 games, following his 13-game stint in China.

Long appeared in 18 games for the Philadelphia Sixers during the 2016-2017 season, his first in the NBA, averaging 8.2 PPG and 4.7 RPG in 13.0 minutes per contest.

Prior to signing with the Sixers, Long was a standout in the G League, averaging a double-double (20.2 PPG, 11.1 RPG) in 39 games for the 87ers, an affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 25-year old Long took part in the Minnesota Timberwolves' mini-camp in June.

A native of Morgan City, scored 2,342 points and compiled 1,447 rebounds in his career at UL, becoming the first player to school history to score 2,000 points, while also pulling down 1,000 rebounds.

Long’s career points are the third-most in Cajun basketball history, while his rebound number ranks first.

The 6-foot-9, 248-pound Long was named a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection three times.